Aug122024

Interested in applying to the SC24 WHPC Lightning Talks and Travel Fellowships?  Check out our Guide!

Embarking on the journey of presenting a lightning talk or applying for a Travel Fellowship with Women in HPC can be a transformative experience. Our history of hosting these events has proven that these opportunities are not merely about sharing research findings or receiving financial support, they represent a significant step towards professional recognition and growth.

Because many of our past presenters and Travel Fellows have seen huge benefits from taking part in our events and sessions we understand how important it is to pass on the best tips and tricks to those considering applying.  In this guide we have compiled how to effectively communicate research and craft compelling fellowship applications that can open doors to new collaborations, career advancements, and personal achievements. We hope this brief helps you in achieving success with your application!

Mastering the Art of the Lightning Talk

A lightning talk is all about brevity with impact. Here’s how to structure a presentation that captivates and informs:

  • Introduction: Begin with an engaging hook that introduces the research topic and outlines the problem addressed. Highlight its significance in a way that resonates with your audience.
  • Main Body: Dive into the core of the research. Describe methodologies, progress, and preliminary findings clearly and concisely. Use compelling anecdotes or visuals to illustrate key points.
  • Conclusion: Wrap up with a summary of findings and their implications. Clearly articulate future goals and why they matter.  Your goal?  To leave your audience wanting to learn more!

Adhering to Submission Guidelines

When preparing a submission, adherence to guidelines is essential. Here’s how to ensure clarity and compliance:

  • Abstract Length: Keep the abstract concise and clear. Focus on delivering a summary that includes:
  • Introduction: Set the stage for the research.
  • Progress: Outline current status and methodologies.
  • Initial Findings: Present early results and insights.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: for submissions on equity, diversity and inclusion, frame the work to highlight achievements and future goals in these critical areas.

Crafting a Compelling Personal Statement for the Travel Fellowship

When applying for a Travel Fellowship, a personal statement should reflect an individual’s passion and dedication for High-Performance Computing. Here’s how to make it stand out:

  • Personal Motivation: Share the driving factors behind the passion for High-Performance Computing, illustrate how personal experiences have shaped this enthusiasm.
  • Achievements and Goals: Highlight key accomplishments and explain how the fellowship will facilitate future objectives. Show how this opportunity aligns with broader career aspirations and WHPC’s mission.
  • Unique Journey: Discuss any unconventional paths or obstacles overcome. Demonstrate how these experiences have built resilience and shaped the career trajectory.

For inspiration, review past successful candidates and their abstracts:

Ready to apply?  Head to our information and submission page!

Acknowledging Supporters 

The Travel Fellowship for 2024 is made possible thanks to the generous support of Do It Now, WHPC SC24 supporters, and the WHPC SC24 Volunteers Committee. <

Do IT Now is dedicated to advancing HPC services, offering cutting-edge solutions for Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and storage. Their expertise ensures high-quality support and innovative solutions for scientists and engineers alike.